43North, the startup competition that aims to attract new businesses to Buffalo, has a new leader now that the organization's board of directors has tapped Colleen Heidinger to succeed Alex Gress as president.
"I'm really honored, through the board's process, to create this succession plan behind Alex. And I'm honored particularly to be the first female president at 43North. Diversity is always something we're striving to include in 43North both in our portfolio and on our staff, so I'm honored that I was chosen," Heidinger told WBFO.
Heidinger joined the organization after moving back to Buffalo in 2014. Since 2018 she served as vice president of programming, strategy and community engagement.
She says she plans to use her background in global event planning and brand partnership in the TV and film industry in New York and Los Angeles to help grow 43North.
"We do such great work in Buffalo, from the events to the mentorship and the retention of our companies now is very strong. But not many people know about us on a national level, so our hope is to help take this story and what we do across the nation," she said.
Along with starting her new position, Heidinger will be leading 43North's move to its new home next week in the Seneca One tower.
"We have a big week in front of us logistically and packing and moving off the medical campus but we're very, very excited," Heidinger said.